Everything’s bigger in America — and this fall, that includes the heat in Hell’s Kitchen.
Season 24 of Gordon Ramsay’s fiery competition is turning up the flames with its boldest theme yet: “Battle of the States.” Fifty hungry chefs from all corners of the country will enter the arena, but only 20 will survive the first cut to carry their state’s flag into the iconic kitchen. From the Signature Dish Challenge to the first dinner service in the aptly titled “Making a State-ment” premiere on Sept. 25, it’s state pride, bragging rights, and culinary glory on the line. Check out our full recap below.
Helping out Gordon this season are his sous chefs: James Avery will watch over the men’s Blue Team while Season 17 Hell’s Kitchen champ Michelle Tribble will oversee the women’s Red Team. Gordon announces that 20 chefs have been selected to move forward in the competition to represent their state. The winner will become Gordon’s new head chef at Hell’s Kitchen Foxwoods Resort and Casino and win $250,000.
Women’s Team
Anaiya (Del.)
Cydni (N.C.)
Cat (Md.)
Jada (Fla.)
Cara Marie (R.I.)
Lisa (Calif.)
Alexandra (Ore.)
Elaina (S.C.)
Maddy (N.Y.)
Ellie (Nev.)
Men’s Team
Chase (Mont.)
Carlos (Alaska)
Chris (N.J.)
Paul (Colo.)
Anthony (Iowa)
Bradley (La.)
Henry (Texas)
Antonio (N.H.)
Jayden (Mass.)
Jon (Ga.)
Signature Dish Challenge
The Top 20 have 45 minutes to create their signature dish and put themselves (and their state) on the map. When everyone is finished, Gordon calls forward one member of each team to go head-to-head. Gordon will score each dish between 1 and five points — and the team with the highest score wins.
Ellie def. Paul, 3-2
Jada tied Anthony, 5-5
Jayden def. Cara Marie, 4-2
Antonio def. Elaina, 4-3
Cat ties Chris, 4-4
Anaiya ties Chase, 4-4
Jon ties Maddy, 4-4
Cydni def. Carlos, 4-2
Bradley def. Alexandra, 5-4
Lisa def. Henry, 5-4
With 38 points each, the Blue and Red teams tied in their first challenge. Gordon revealed the tie-breaker would come down to the overall best dish of the night — and that honor went to Lisa.
For their reward, the women were whisked away to a 120-foot yacht for the day, while the men stayed behind to prep the kitchen for dinner service, unloading truckloads of tables, chairs, and linens.
Next Week
It’s “game on” as the chef-testants battle for a precious Hell’s Kitchen staple — the Punishment Pass. Then, during a wild opening-night dinner service, both teams descend into a state of panic as one chef may be pushed over the edge.
